The Ranger Online

Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: Back Page

Media Credit: Altug Sami Icilensu John Stanford is asking for support from drivers at a vigil in San Pedro Springs Park. Stanford, a World War II veteran, is known as the oldest peace activist in Texas, according to Texans for Peace outreach director/press secretary Alyssa Burgin. The organization can be reached at www.texansforpeace.org.

Media Credit: Altug Sami Icilensu Architecture Professor Dwayne Bohuslav is greeting Devyn and Ernest Gonzalez and their children at the rally Tuesday.

Media Credit: Altug Sami Icilensu Peace activists protest along San Pedro Avenue Tuesday. Architecture sophomore Giovanna Ramos is standing on a light pole. Landscape architecture freshman Mary Villarreal and attorney Charles Riley are reacting to a driver showing support by honking.

Having the opportunity to voice controversial opinions - for example, on ending the war in Iraq - without being ridiculed is just one of the benefits of living in a free country.

A high-spirited but peaceful crowd of about 30 protesters lined San Pedro Avenue in San Pedro Springs Park Tuesday evening to protest the war.

Signs reading "End the War in Iraq; Bring the Troops Home Now," "Silence Gives Consent" and "Stop the Empire Start a Republic," caused passing drivers to honk their horns in support.

Sweltering a bit in the muggy heat, the crowd remained cheerful and represented a cross section of the city, including veterans and students, first-time protesters and lifelong activists.

Veteran Rhett Smith, who heard about the protest from a flier, rode the bus to participate and voice his opinion by yelling into a bullhorn and repeating the phrase "Impeach Bush now; arrest Cheney first."

"I think it's extremely important now for every American to stand up to the tyranny of the Bush administration," Smith said. "It's time to take our invasion to a new level. Let's take the next step and begin to build peace."

Architecture Professor Dwayne Bohuslav organized the event to create student awareness in the fight against the war.

"We're going to keep doing this every month until we get more student involvement," Bohuslav said.

Architecture freshman Maricella Villarreal's husband serves in the Air Force and spends his days assembling and transporting missiles.

"I'm not willing to lose my family or beliefs for a man who doesn't give a s*** about us," Villarreal said in a reference to President George Bush.

People caught off-guard by the protest stopped to watch the crowd, some of them clapping, some stone-faced, as new protesters arrived with guitars and children in tow.

Tim Duda, a retired high school teacher and longtime activist, recently participated in the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, or ANSWER, rally in Washington, D.C., in which 100,000 war protesters marched from the White House to the Capitol.

"I've been adamant about the invasion of Iraq since Day 1. Going to rallies only makes me more energized, more committed to ending the war," Duda said.

Demonstrators from Coalition of Texans for Peace, Spam the Senate, Northwest Democrats of Bexar County and the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center came out to support the anti-war protest as well.

Graciela Sanchez, director of the Esperanza Center, took a break from work to come out and show her support.

"I think there's this new rejuvenation of an anti-war sentiment, and the environment has changed. It's not just a national sentiment; you can see it, hear it, feel it right here at home," Sanchez said.

In the past two months, anti-war protests have taken place throughout the city.

On Aug. 28, MoveOn.org sponsored a protest at Alamo Plaza for more than 130 people.

During November, Spam the Senate will sponsor another demonstration to gain support from more high school and college students.

"I'm not giving up. I made my best effort and I know this is the right thing to do," Bohuslav said.

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